Enigmatic Lead Flask from Randall Manor, near Gravesend
Conserved with a grant from KAS
A number of spectacular and enigmatic finds have been discovered during eight years of community archaeology excavation at the site of Randall Manor, an 800 year old manor house. In 2011, at the end of the excavation season, a final metal detector sweep of the site revealed a substantial non-ferrous signal in the corner of the cross-wing to the Manor complex. Built onto a mid-thirteenth century aisled hall, this cross-wing dates from the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. Dug into the levelling layers for the cross-wing and covered by a pebble surface, a complete lead flask 20cm by 20cm was discovered. It was in an extremely fragile state, so a grant was successfully sought from the Kent Archaeological Society’s Fieldwork Committee for stabilisation and conservation of the flask. This work was ably carried out by Dana Goodburn-Brown, known to readers for her pioneering work at CSI: Sittingbourne. The flask is roughly square and has two small handles and a spout. There are faint traces of a white cross painted on one side of the flask.
The author, in addition to being indebted to the KAS for their financial support, would be delighted to hear from any KAS member who could add to the interpretation of this object. It has been suggested that it is a large example of an ampulla or lead kostrel. Are KAS members aware of any analogous objects that could be examined? Is its presence buried under the floor of the building indicative of some sort of house blessing?
It will next be on display for two days over the weekend of April 5th and 6th, in the Visitor Centre at Shorne Woods Country Park, as part of the Park’s annual Archaeology Exhibition. KAS members are warmly invited to visit this free exhibition.
The Kent County Council, Heritage Lottery-funded community archaeology project in Shorne Woods Country Park is now entering its ninth year. As we come to the end of our current phase of funding, the project is focused on post-excavation works and report writing. Volunteers are busy cataloguing finds, working on the site paper archive and constructing an 800-strong context matrix for the Manor! Lead by KCC’s community archaeologist, the project is also benefiting from the work of a year-long Council for British Archaeology Community Archaeology Bursary Placement.
Excavations will continue at Randall Manor this summer from July 7th to the 27th. There will be daily guided tours of the excavations between 11am and 3pm. For more information on the Project, to participate in The Dig and for any questions or suggestions on the Flask, please contact KCC’s Community Archaeologist, Andrew Mayfield: andrew.mayfield@kent.gov.uk 07920 548906, 01622 696919 and follow www.facebook.com/archaeologyinkent and on Twitter @ArchaeologyKent.